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The next step for Infiniti in the premium compact segment

“With our recent sales successes and record growth, the current product offensive will further strengthen Infiniti’s global market position. The active crossover, QX30, joins our new premium compact family and will broaden our offer to new customers around the world.”

Roland Krueger, President of Infiniti.

Further fulfilling Infiniti’s promise to expand its product line-up based on popular concept car designs, the arrival of the QX30 premium active crossover comes at a moment of opportunity for the Infiniti brand. Alongside the Q30, revealed in September 2015, the QX30 will play an integral role in Infiniti’s promise to offer customers a broader range of premium products. The QX30 adds another dimension to Infiniti’s premium model line-up, and will play a vital role in the brand’s global growth.

In the first 10 months of 2015, Infiniti sold almost 173,000 new vehicles worldwide, representing an increase of 16% compared to the same period in 2014. The 32,200 vehicles sold in China means Infiniti has already exceeded its full-year 2014 figure in the world’s largest car market, while in the U.S. Infiniti sold more than 106,700 vehicles, the best sales results in the country since 2005.

Global sales of 18,400 units in October represented an increase of 20% over the same month in the previous year, and continued a 14-month run of best individual months on record for Infiniti, including the best October sales in history for many regions and markets such as the Americas, China, Mexico, and Western Europe.

As a member of the new premium family, the QX30 gives Infiniti a great platform from which to achieve its goals in key markets globally. It will be built at new manufacturing facilities in Sunderland, UK, becoming part of Infiniti’s first car production in Europe.

The high demands of premium vehicle manufacturing require significant investment and a highly skilled workforce. Establishing a production base for the Infiniti QX30 represented a new £250 million commitment in plant extensions totalling over 25,000m2. A successful recruitment programme was conducted, filling over 300 new jobs to support production, while 4,000 existing production line staff were given special training to meet exacting Infiniti standards.

Attracting a new type of premium car buyer

“We have identified a new generation of premium buyers and have positioned QX30 as a personalised premium option to suit a varied range of needs. The car is as much at home in the city as it is outside of urban environments, inspiring confidence with its ‘ready-to-go-anywhere’ attitude.”

Francois Bancon, Infiniti Vice President Product Strategy

Infiniti is targeting a new generation of premium buyers with the new QX30. The premium crossover segment is currently among the fastest-expanding markets globally, and Generations X and Y will represent the majority of buyers in this segment by 2020. For them, the car is an expression of ‘self’ rather than ‘status’, and they remain open to new, category-defying concepts.

The QX30 will hold a unique position in the segment, bridging the gap between premium compact rivals and larger crossover models. Its crossover-style versatility extends from unique design appeal and a wide range of comfort, convenience, safety and dynamic features, including intelligent all-wheel drive. Its elevated ride height over the Q30 and high-stability drivetrain will give confidence to drivers.

This more purposeful, crossover-inspired execution has been achieved without the QX30 losing the premium look and feel that buyers expect of a car in this segment. It maintains its urban appeal, premium fit and finish and seamless integration of Infiniti’s highly expressive design – requisite elements required for the car to succeed in the premium arena.